Ex-Titan Bardsley puts some English on ball

Shown here as a freshman at Cal State Fullerton, Karen Bardsley was named Big West Goaltender of the Year and All-Big West. Bardsley will be playing for England in the 2012 Olympics. FILE PHOTO

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Former Cal State Fullerton goaltender Karen Bardsley, shown here playing for England against France during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 quarterfinal match, will play for England again in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. FRIEDEMANN VOGEL, GETTY IMAGES

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Karen Bardsley walks off the field during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 quarterfinal between England and France in 2011. CHRISTOF KOEPSEL, GETTY IMAGES

Karen Bardsley already was something special at the age of 12. At least, that's what former Cal State Fullerton and current USC women's soccer coach Ali Khosroshahin believed.

"She had an understanding well beyond her years," said Khosroshahin.

Fifteen years later, Bardsley still is proving Khosroshahin had good instincts. Bardsley will be taking the net for England's women's soccer team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which begin July 27 (Bardsley's parents, Geoff and Kay, were both born in England but Bardsley was born and raised in Santa Monica, hence her dual citizenship for England and the United States).

Bardsley first stepped onto the pitch at 5. From that point on, she was deeply connected to the sport. Bardsley said she and her father always would enjoy watching soccer together and their conversations followed a similar path.

Bardsley's path to the Olympics, however, has not been an easy one. She has had to overcome injuries in high school and college to reach the point she is at now.

In her junior year at Ayala High in Chino Hills, Bardsley broke her left leg and, according to her, the injury could not have occurred at a worse time.

"It was right in the middle of recruiting," Bardsley said. "Colleges were concerned about my recovery time and my form after the recovery."

Those things didn't seem to concern Khosroshahin, who remembered Bardsley from the years before.

"It seemed like a good fit," Bardsley said. "I got to work with Ali, who's a terrific coach and mentor, and I knew he believed in me."

Her career at Cal State Fullerton started and ended with a bang. She was named Big West Freshman of the Year in 2002, compiling 88 saves with an impressive .846 save percentage. The stage was set for Bardsley to excel her sophomore year, and she did ... for a whole 28 minutes. During the second half of a match against Washington at the Portland Nike Invitational, Bardsley broke her right leg, causing her to miss the remainder of the season.

Bardsley, who was allowed to redshirt the 2003 season, came back in grand fashion in 2004 by being named Big West Goalkeeper of the Year and was named first-team to All-Big West. She posted an impressive record of 7-3-1. The trend continued as she laid claim to the Big West Goalkeeper of the Year title the next two years.

"Anytime an athlete comes back from an injury, such as Karen did, it shows the commitment level. To break her leg not once but twice shows her true character," Khosroshahin said.

Khosroshahin's has seen a lot and knows a lot about Bardsley. His most memorable moment with Bardsley was a match against UCLA in 2006. Fullerton ended up losing the game but Bardsley's attitude and character shone brightly.

"She wasn't disappointed at all. She was upbeat and extremely proud of what was accomplished," Khosroshahin said.

When asked about her personality Khosroshahin had more to say.

"She's goofy. ... The team loved her and loved to be around her. She handles herself great and always puts others ahead of herself."

Since her days at Cal State Fullerton, Bardsley has played for soccer clubs such as Ajax America Women, Pali Blues and Sky Blue FC and is currently playing for the Sweden club team Linkopings FC. She has also participated on the England U-19 and U-21 teams and started for the England National team in the 2011 World Cup.

Come later this month, Bardsley will be in the net for the English soccer team in front of a home crowd.

"Every time I step onto the field I think of my parents. It's such an honor to represent them and my family."

Khosroshahin said it best when he said "We have not seen the best of Karen Bardsley yet. She will have an amazing Olympics."

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